The Day IKEA Finally Came To Devon

Sure, I’m a single parent, But I’m never truly alone

Sharing This Month’s Beauty Loves

This Body Pressure Thing, It’s There For Boys Too

Macaroni Cheese with Pancetta And Tomatoes

Being a vegetarian, mac n cheese is often the go-to on the menu when lunching out so I’m fairly confident I can pass judgement when it comes to deciding what makes a decent macaroni cheese.

And while, yes, you can just stick with a standard cheese sauce and pasta job, it can also be a great way to sneak some vegetables into a family meal – try adding a tin of sweetcorn, or just a really tasty meal which can be prepared ahead. This version, however, is a much fancier version which will satisfy anyone who likes having meat with every meal.

Don’t feel that you have to buy breadcrumbs buy the way, just whizz up some end bread crusts in a food processor. I usually make myself a small vegetarian version by leaving out the pancetta or substituting with Quorn bacon piece. I just bake in a small separate dish.

Serve on its own, with salad, garlic bread or corn on the cob. Either way, it’s one meal which I know is going to get the thumbs up from my ravenous teenagers.

Ingredients

250g/9oz macaroni

40g/1½oz butter

40g/1½ plain flour

600ml/1pint 1½fl oz milk

250g/9oz grated cheddar

1/2 bunch spring onions

130g pancetta

a packet of mozzarella cheese cut into slices

1 tsp mustard powder

1 tsp chives

1 tsp dried basil

6 sliced cherry tomatoes – sliced

2 handfuls of breadcrumbs

salt & pepper to season

Method

boil a pan of water and add the macaroni according to packet instructions

dry fry the pancetta in a saucepan

remove and set aside

using the same pan, melt the butter then add the chopped spring onions and cook until soft

add the flour and mustard powder stirring until it’s all combined

slowly start adding the milk stirring between each addition to avoid any lumps,

add the basil and grated cheddar

bring the sauce to the boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 5 minutes or until the sauce has thickened

strain the cooked macaroni then combine with the sauce and pancetta

transfer to an ovenproof dish, layer the sliced mozzarella top with breadcrumbs